Arte California

Botox…It’s not just for wrinkles anymore

Botox is most commonly associated with smoothing out wrinkles to give the face a fresher, more youthful appearance. However, it has other benefits beyond this. Botox can be used to minimize or stop excessive perspiration. Men use it these days, to gain relief from enlarged prostates.

Pending further research, doctors are hopeful that the treatment will also be useful in the treatment of pain associated with arthritis.

Some of the other benefits are:

Brow Lifts

As people age, their eyebrows are prone to sagging. Botox Cosmetic® is now commonly used to lift that brow, resulting in a more energized, youthful appearance . Botox brow lifts look much more natural than surgical lifts, but they don’t last as long, and have to be refreshed every 3-6 months, depending on the patient.

Strabismus

Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes do not line up evenly in the same direction. It is best known as “crossed-eyes”, and approximately 4% of Americans have this condition. Botox has been used for treatment of strabismus for quite some time now, and has had surprisingly successful results.

Overactive Bladder

Botox has been approved by the FDA and is used to treat thousands of women in America each year for overactive bladder. Women love Botox because it can help reduce a number of their bladder leaks considerably.

Chronic Migraines

Migraine headaches can go hand in hand with nausea and sensitivity to sound and light. The FDA has approved treatment of these debilitating migraines with Botox. A series of 31 injections are administered to seven different areas of the head and neck with results expected to last up to three months, depending on each individual.

Lips

Botox Cosmetic® can be used in combination with fillers, such as Restylane, to treat the lips and give them a fuller appearance, such as that of my granddaughter, Maya, pictured below. Maya does not have Botox in her lips, because she is very young, but if she wants to maintain this look in her 40s and above, Botox may be the best solution.

Whether one prefers to age naturally, or chooses to have a little help from cosmetic treatments, such as Botox, is up to the individual. As for me? I get by with a little help from my friends….and I’ve never used Botox. 😉